People living with disabilities in Canada have several government benefits they could qualify for. Created to provide financial support for disabled seniors, these benefits include the Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit and the Quebec Pension Plan Disability Benefit.
This guide explains the different senior disability benefits in Canada, including eligibility requirements, payment amounts, payment dates, and how to apply for them.
Senior Disability Benefits in Canada
CPP Disability Benefit
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefit is a monthly taxable payment available to individuals unable to work due to a disability.
CPP Disability Benefit Eligibility
To be eligible to receive this benefit, you must:
- Be under 65 years old
- Have contributed to the CPP
- Have a mental or physical disability that prevents gainful work
- Be suffering from a long-term disability with an indefinite duration, or has the potential to result in death
CPP Disability Benefit Amount
| Average monthly amount for new beneficiaries | $1,176.98 |
| Maximum monthly payment amount | $1,606.78 |
The maximum disability increases each month due to the introduction of the CPP enhancement in 2019. In December, the monthly amount will increase to $1,616.52. You can receive the benefit by direct deposit to your bank account.
CPP Disability Benefit Payment Dates
| 2024 CPP Payment Dates | Weekday |
| January 29, 2024 | Monday |
| February 27, 2024 | Tuesday |
| March 26, 2024 | Tuesday |
| April 26, 2024 | Friday |
| May 29, 2024 | Wednesday |
| June 26, 2024 | Wednesday |
| July 29, 2024 | Monday |
| August 28, 2024 | Wednesday |
| September 25, 2024 | Wednesday |
| October 29, 2024 | Tuesday |
| November 27, 2024 | Wednesday |
| December 20, 2024 | Friday |
Related: All Government Pension Payment Dates
CPP Post-Retirement Disability Benefit
This new benefit, which became available as of January 2019, is for disabled CPP retirement pension beneficiaries not qualified for a disability pension owing to being CPP retirement pension recipients for over 15 months.
CPP Post-Retirement Disability Benefit Eligibility
To be eligible for this benefit, you must:
- Be under 65 years old
- Have a severe or prolonged mental or physical illness
- Meet the following minimum contributory requirements:
- Have made valid CPP contributions in 4 of the last 6 years
- Have made contributions for at least 25 years, including 3 of the last 6 years
- Meet the late applicant provision requirements
CPP Post-Retirement Disability Benefit Amount
For the current year, the amount of this benefit is $583.32, which is the flat-rate component of the disability pension. If you’re eligible for the CPP Post-Retirement Disability Benefit, you’ll receive it until age 65.
Once you reach age 65, you will stop receiving the post-retirement disability benefit, but you’ll continue receiving the retirement pension.
Related: CPP Disability Explained
CPP Children’s Benefit
The CPP children’s benefit is a monthly payment provided to the dependent children of disabled or deceased CPP contributors. A child can receive a maximum of 2 children’s benefits. The benefit comes in two types:
- Child’s benefit for a disabled CPP contributor – A monthly payment for a child of an individual receiving a CPP disability benefit
- Benefit for a surviving child – A monthly payment for the child of a deceased contributor who had made sufficient CPP contributions
CPP Children’s Benefit Eligibility
To be eligible for this benefit, a child must be:
- Under age 18, OR under age 25 and attending school full time at a recognized school or university
- The natural child of the CPP contributor
- A child legally adopted by the contributor while under 21 years old
- A child “legally” or “in fact” in the custody of a contributor while under 21 years old
A child may also be eligible for the benefit if the parent or guardian:
- Is the recipient of the CPP disability benefit or the post-retirement disability benefit
- Has passed away and completed the CPP contributory requirements for a CPP death benefit
CPP Children’s Benefit Amounts
For 2024, the amount for the CPP children’s benefit is a flat rate of $294.12, which is adjusted annually.
CPP Children’s Benefit Payment Dates
| 2024 CCB Payment Dates | Weekday |
| January 19, 2024 | Friday |
| February 20, 2024 | Tuesday |
| March 20, 2024 | Wednesday |
| April 19, 2024 | Friday |
| May 17, 2024 | Friday |
| June 20, 2024 | Thursday |
| July 19, 2024 | Friday |
| August 20, 2024 | Tuesday |
| September 20, 2024 | Friday |
| October 18, 2024 | Friday |
| November 20, 2024 | Wednesday |
| December 13, 2024 | Friday |
Quebec Pension Plan Disability BenefitÂ
The Quebec Pension Plan is a taxable monthly benefit available to individuals in Quebec with a severe and prolonged disability that hinders them from working. The benefit helps them maintain independence and financial stability.
Quebec Pension Plan Disability Benefit Eligibility
To receive this monthly benefit, you must:
- Be under age 65
- Not currently receiving a pension from the CPP
- Diagnosed by Retraite Québec’s medical advisors as having a permanent and severe disability
- Have made sufficient contributions to the Quebec Pension Plan
- Earn less than $20,746 gross (before taxes) per year
Quebec Pension Plan Disability Benefit Payment Dates
| 2024 QPP Payment Dates | Weekday |
| January 31, 2024 | Wednesday |
| February 29, 2024 | Thursday |
| March 28, 2024 | Thursday |
| April 30, 2024 | Tuesday |
| May 31, 2024 | Friday |
| June 28, 2024 | Friday |
| July 31, 2024 | Wednesday |
| August 30, 2024 | Friday |
| September 27, 2024 | Friday |
| October 31, 2024 | Thursday |
| November 29, 2024 | Friday |
| December 30, 2024 | Monday |
Quebec Pension Plan Disability Benefit Amounts
- If you’re under 60, the maximum QPP disability pension amount you’ll receive is $1.606.75 per month.
- If you’re between 60 and 65 years old, you’ll receive $583.29 per month.
How to Apply for Senior Disability Benefits in Canada
Apply immediately as soon as you develop a severe and prolonged disability that keeps you from working regularly. To apply for senior disability benefits, follow these steps:
- Fill out the application form online using your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) or through a paper application. Once you complete the form, submit it to Service Canada, send it by mail or drop it off at a Service Canada office.
- Submit your medical form, which can be either one of these two:
- Medical report (ISP-2519) (non-terminal illness)
- Terminal Illness Medical Attestation form (ISP-2530B) (terminal illness only)
- Wait for Service Canada’s response. It may take up to 120 days (4 months) for the agency’s decision process.
When your application is approved, you’ll receive a letter detailing your payment amount and the date on which you’ll start receiving your benefit. If this is your first payment, you’ll undergo a waiting period of 3 months and receive your pension in the fourth month.
FAQs
Can you get disability after 65 in Canada?
No. Post-retirement disability benefits are stopped when you reach the age of 65. Even so, the individual receiving the benefit will continue to receive the retirement pension.
What are the disadvantages of CPP disability?
One major drawback of the CPP disability benefits is that it isn’t enough to sufficiently replace the disabled person’s income. Also, with the requirement that a disability should be severe and prolonged, not many may qualify for the benefit.
How long can you stay on CPP disability?
You can stay on CPP disability until the duration of your disability or until you turn 65. This would be subject to periodic reviews, the frequency of which would depend on the classification of your disability.
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